Mumbai, March 17 (NationPress) The government of Maharashtra revealed on Tuesday that a vigilance audit will be initiated throughout Mumbai within a 30-day timeframe to examine irregularities associated with housing schemes outlined in Development Control Regulations (DCR) 33(11) and 33(20)(b).

Officials stated that actions would be taken against BMC personnel if it is discovered they misled the legislature or neglected violations by developers.

During a discussion on a calling attention motion introduced by BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha, Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal made the announcement.

Kotecha charged that developers had presented “in-situ” PTC (Permanent Transit Camp) housing in their project proposals, yet proceeded to construct and sell commercial outlets and high-end apartments.

He asserted that over Rs 100 crore worth of flats had been sold in Mulund alone, with the total scam across Mumbai exceeding Rs 2,000 crore.

Furthermore, he mentioned that the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) acknowledged irregularities, while BMC officials were misleading the assembly.

Kotecha demanded clarity on whether those involved in selling properties under false pretenses would face suspension, emphasizing that shops had been sold while being represented as “in situ” PTCs. He highlighted that irregularities across schemes 33(11) and 33(20)(b) in Mumbai could reach nearly Rs 2,000 crore.

He also questioned the lack of accountability for developers and architects implicated in these projects.

He asked if individuals who sold stocks valued between Rs 25-50 crore would face imprisonment and whether the government would enforce a time-sensitive vigilance audit of all such schemes throughout the city. He insisted that once the audit report is completed, a meeting should be organized with Mumbai's MLAs.

Kotecha's requests were endorsed by several members from both the ruling and opposition sides, including Dilip Lande, Murji Patel, Sunil Prabhu, Sunil Raut, and Varun Sardesai, who collectively urged for action against the implicated BMC officials, including potential suspensions.

Minister Misal acknowledged in the Assembly that numerous builders had not delivered the required Permanent Transit Camps (PTCs) and Project Affected Persons (PAP) housing stock to either the SRA or the BMC, despite receiving additional FSI benefits.

She informed that stop-work notices had already been issued in certain instances. If records indicate that sales occurred and officials turned a blind eye, severe repercussions would ensue.

She confirmed that the audit would encompass all ongoing schemes across Mumbai, not limited to Mulund, and a comprehensive report is anticipated within a month.

Misal mentioned that once the report is finalized, a discussion will be arranged with the Housing Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to determine appropriate punitive responses.

Addressing the relocation of slum residents beyond the mandated five-kilometer radius, she recognized that the policy is under reassessment. She stated that the government is contemplating alterations to ensure that PAP housing is not moved to remote areas like Malvani or Mankhurd, despite the project being situated in Mulund, with a conclusive decision to follow after consultations.